National Basketball Association
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Pittsburgh 79, Maryland 70
When: 7:00 PM ET, Thursday, November 18, 2010
Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Officials: # Bryan Kersey, # Tim Kelly, # Brian Dorsey
Attendance: 7852

Freshman Talib Zanna had 14 points and 13 rebounds, including a key tip-in with 57 seconds remaining, as No. 4 Pittsburgh held off Maryland, 79-70, in the first game of a doubleheader in the 2K Sports Coaches vs. Cancer Classic at Madison Square Garden in New York.

The Panthers face the winner of Illinois-Texas, which squared off in the second game, in Friday's championship at 7 p.m., while the Terrapins play the loser in the consolation matchup at 5 p.m.

Neither team led by more than four in the first half, with Lamar Patterson's 3-pointer giving the Panthers a 31-27 halftime edge. It looked like Pitt might run away after pushing the lead to 42-29, but Maryland clawed to within 49-46 with 12 minutes remaining.

Zanna's putback was the only field goal in the last six minutes for Pitt.

Cliff Tucker scored 17 points and Jordan Williams added 14 for Maryland.

Both squads entered boasting 3-0 records, having not left their home courts, and each survived a scare. The Panthers were tested in a season-opening 83-75 win over Rhode Island, and Maryland needed a last-second jumper to beat College of Charleston, 75-74, on Nov. 10.
Top Game Performances
 
Maryland   Pittsburgh
Cliff Tucker 17 Scoring Talib Zanna 14
Cliff Tucker 5 Assists Travon Woodall 5
Jordan Williams 8 Rebounds Talib Zanna 12
Adrian Bowie 3 Free Throws Made Gilbert Brown 7
Adrian Bowie 1 Steals Gary McGhee 1
Dino Gregory 4 Blocks Gary McGhee 1
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Maryland 70 48.2 2-14 14-30 12 25 6 5
Pittsburgh 79 46.3 3-10 26-37 12 43 2 4